Quartet called up for international duty

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that winger Dane Richards (Jamaica), as well as strikers Darren Mattocks (Jamaica), Kenny Miller (Scotland), and Etienne Barbara (Malta) have been called up by their respective national teams for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches next month.

Richards, 28, and Mattocks, 21, have been called up by Jamaica for their next two World Cup qualifiers against the United States. The first match is on Friday, September 7, at Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica, with the return match set for Tuesday, September 11, at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Richards has made 39 senior international appearances for The Reggae Boyz, with his last appearance coming on Wednesday, August 15, in a 2-0 friendly win over CONCACAF rivals El Salvador in Washington, D.C. It was in the August 15 match that Mattocks made his international debut as a second-half substitute for the Caribbean nation.

Miller, 32, has been called up by Scotland for two World Cup qualifiers in European zone Group A. On Saturday, September 8, Scotland host Serbia, then on Tuesday, September 11, they welcome Macedonia. Both matches will be played at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Miller has scored 16 goals in 60 international appearances for his country and has served as Scotland captain during his international career.

Barbara, 30, has been called up by his native Malta for a pair of World Cup qualifying matches in European zone Group B. Malta open their campaign at home to Armenia at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on Friday, September 7. Then on Tuesday, September 11, they travel to Modena to play Italy at Stadio Alberto Braglia. Barbara has made 31 appearances for Il-Kavallieri (The Knights), with his last cap coming on Tuesday, August 14, in a 3-2 friendly win away to San Marino.

All three players will be available for this weekend’s Western Conference clash when fifth-place Whitecaps FC (MLS RS: 10W-10L-7D for 37 points) visit The Home Depot Center, in Carson, California, this Saturday, September 1, for their third and final regular season meeting against fourth-place LA Galaxy (MLS RS: 12W-11L-4D for 40 points). Saturday’s match is set for 7 p.m. PT – TV: TSN2, RADIO: TEAM 1410 – teamradio.ca, MOBILE: bell.ca/mobiletv. Following Saturday’s match, Whitecaps FC will enjoy a bye week before they travel to Frisco, Texas, to face sixth-place FC Dallas (MLS RS: 8W-12L-8D for 32 points) in another Western Conference match on Saturday, September 15. Kickoff from FC Dallas Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m. PT – TV: Sportsnet Pacific, RADIO: TEAM 1040 – teamradio.ca, MOBILE: bell.ca/mobiletv.